Birchbox Breakdown

Anyone with a smart phone can track down a Michelin-star restaurant in Paris or point you in the direction of the Forbidden City. But this slim, deeply researched line of guidebooks—don’t expect maps, illustrations, or any of the otherwise Google-able info you’d find stuffed in fatter versions—specializes in the type of locales known only to the natives. It’s the kind of unabashedly opinionated editorial advice that will send you happily flying solo. And it’s executed with so much brevity and class that the guides can fit comfortably into a pocket or your carry-on.

How it Works

For each of 33 destinations, a savvy local has distilled the essential places to sleep and eat, must-do activities, and practical information for you to enjoy on the fly. Every entry undergoes quality control by LUXE’s globetrotting editorial staff and print guides are complemented by online updates. In other words, you can plan your trip without worrying whether that pop-up shop or nomadic cocktail bar has already skipped town.

How to Use

Consult the relevant guide for the rarest and wittiest kind of advice about what to see, do, eat, and drink—and hit the road.

Awesome guide for 1989

This was a guide that I did not need as it is for a city that is largely irrelevant to me and did it really contain anything that I cannot find online on my iPhone? Suggesting the need to carry yet another item that is not needed is not practical from a travel efficiency standpoint. Also, how do I know any of the reco's are good vs. online you can see comparative reviews both from a content and volume perspective.

Hit the trash immediately.

1

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Rich with information- and bad attitude

I like the idea of this guide- I purchased the London and Paris guides to help plan our honeymoon- but I found the writing to be very condescending. A complete turn-off! Even if it does have helpful information, I'm much less likely to even open one again because no one likes to be talked down to when trying to plan a relaxing vacation!

5

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JJNJ

Age

35-44

Grooming style

Athletic, Easygoing, Foodie, Geeky, Healthy, Outdoorsy, Jet-setting

Hip, cool travel guide

This travel guide is exactly what I would want for a city that I actually live in... so it must be great for a new city as well. I enjoyed the witty descriptions and the recommendations make you feel like an insider. I haven't put this guide to the test by using it in this particular city, but I definitely like the "feel" it offers.

4

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Spenny

An OK Map

This map was a great map but really hard to read. There is so much on it that it would take you forever to actually find anything. It would be easier to use Yelp or Google to find what you are looking for, more decorative that useful.

2

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Great when off the grid

Used this little gem for a trip to Laos. Afraid of turning on my phone in fear of data charges, this gem was great at directing me to spots all around. Durability is here as well as it folds easily and often.

5

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